Symbol: KAtomic Number: 19Atomic Mass: 39.0983 amuElectrons: 19Most common isotope: K-39Nuetrons in most comon isotope: 20
Lewis Dot Structure
Background:
-Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy (asissted by Edmund Davy) after he discovered that he could use electricy to split substances into their most basic form: elements. He electrolyzed dried potassium hydroxide to isolate potassium by itself, making it the first metal to be isolated through this proccess.
-The word "potassium" comes from the English word "potash" which meant an alkali that has been extracted from the ash of burnt wood or leaves with water. The symbol "K" comes from "kalium" which is the name for potassium in Germany and Scandinavia.
-Potassium is used very fruquently. Almost all potassium in the world is used in plant fertilizers. It supplies vital nutrients that allows plants to grow. Potassium can also be used to help preserve foods, wine and beer.
Physical Properties:
State of matter at room temp: Solid Melting Point: 63.38 degrees Celsius
Boiling Point: 765.6 degrees Celsius
Density: 0.862 g/cm3
Abundance in Earth's crust: 2.1%
Chemical Properties:
-Potassium reacts with oxygen, water, flourine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
-Compounds containing Potassium: KN3 (Potassium Azide), KClO3 (Potassium Chlorate), K2(CrO4) (Potassium Chromate), KCN (Potassium Cyanide),
K2Cr2O7 (Potassium Dichromate), KF (Potassium Fluoride), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide), KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate), KClO4 (Potassium Perchlorate), K2S (Potassium Sulfide), KSCN (Potassium Thiocyanate), and the most common compound: KCl (Potassium Chloride).
- Potassium is used to make the heart stop. This may not sound beneficial, however it is very helpful during heart surgeries. The potassium ions interfere with the ion channels in the heart's nerve cells, which causes the heart to stop beating and allows surgery to take place. Also, potassium chloride is used in lethal injections for animals when they need to be "put to sleep". Without potassium, heart surgery would be almost impossible, and animals would be forced to suffer.
Citations:
"The Element Potassium." It's Elemental -. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Potassium Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Chemical Elements.com - Potassium (K)." Chemical Elements.com - Potassium (K). N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Potassium." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Periodic Table of Elements." : Common Compounds of Potassium. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Want to Know It? Answers to Life's Questions." Uses of Potassium. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
<---potassium
<------ bananas are known for their high potassium content!
Erin Russell
P O T A S S I U M
Symbol: KAtomic Number: 19Atomic Mass: 39.0983 amuElectrons: 19Most common isotope: K-39Nuetrons in most comon isotope: 20-Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy (asissted by Edmund Davy) after he discovered that he could use electricy to split substances into their most basic form: elements. He electrolyzed dried potassium hydroxide to isolate potassium by itself, making it the first metal to be isolated through this proccess.
-The word "potassium" comes from the English word "potash" which meant an alkali that has been extracted from the ash of burnt wood or leaves with water. The symbol "K" comes from "kalium" which is the name for potassium in Germany and Scandinavia.
-Potassium is used very fruquently. Almost all potassium in the world is used in plant fertilizers. It supplies vital nutrients that allows plants to grow. Potassium can also be used to help preserve foods, wine and beer.
Physical Properties:
State of matter at room temp: Solid
Melting Point: 63.38 degrees Celsius
Boiling Point: 765.6 degrees Celsius
Density: 0.862 g/cm3
Abundance in Earth's crust: 2.1%
Chemical Properties:
-Potassium reacts with oxygen, water, flourine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
-Compounds containing Potassium: KN3 (Potassium Azide), KClO3 (Potassium Chlorate), K2(CrO4) (Potassium Chromate), KCN (Potassium Cyanide),
K2Cr2O7 (Potassium Dichromate), KF (Potassium Fluoride), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide), KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate), KClO4 (Potassium Perchlorate), K2S (Potassium Sulfide), KSCN (Potassium Thiocyanate), and the most common compound: KCl (Potassium Chloride).
- Potassium is used to make the heart stop. This may not sound beneficial, however it is very helpful during heart surgeries. The potassium ions interfere with the ion channels in the heart's nerve cells, which causes the heart to stop beating and allows surgery to take place. Also, potassium chloride is used in lethal injections for animals when they need to be "put to sleep". Without potassium, heart surgery would be almost impossible, and animals would be forced to suffer.
Citations:
"The Element Potassium." It's Elemental -. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Potassium Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Chemical Elements.com - Potassium (K)." Chemical Elements.com - Potassium (K). N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Potassium." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Periodic Table of Elements." : Common Compounds of Potassium. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.
"Want to Know It? Answers to Life's Questions." Uses of Potassium. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2013.